AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16574, 5 November 1921, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAKD THEATRE. “XATCK ANI> PI/CCK.,’’ The feature of the Strand’s new programme ia tlie Fox production, “ Luck and Pluck,” starring George Walsh, itt the part of Joe Grim, alias ‘'Velvet.” He has rescued Laura White from a runaway boTSO. He does not know hev father is the Chief of the United States Intelligence Bureau, nor that Karl Richter, a banker, with whom she has been riding, is her fiance and a German spy- Richter and felloe v conspirators. including!; the Countess Briand, desire the plans of a modern aeroplane which Professor Slade has invented. Velret loams that Richter has taken Laura to the home of the Countess, and concludes this is the carl’s home. Oto the night of the intended robbery. Velvet forces his way into this residence, hoping to find a photograph of Laura. He meets the Countess. She calls the police, and he reveals to her his errand. She concocts a storf. telling Velvet-.that La.ura is the victim of a blackmailing plot, that the blackmailer ia Professor Slade, and that she will call off the police if lie will regain from. Slade letters belonging to La-ura. Velvet enters the inventor’s home, learns that the alleged letters are the aeroplane plans and returns them to Slado. Learning that Laura is engaged to Richter, lie enters her room and tells her that her fiance rs a German spy and that she haa been duped. She does not believe it. Richter later* denies all, and invites Laura to his bank, where, be says, he can prove he is loyal. Richter’s men meanwhile have imprisoned Velvet in a small house, but he escapes, frees Laura, trails the conspirators, who have stolen official papers, overtakes them on a bridge, has a hand-to-hand fight with them in an automobile, plunges the car into a lake, and Richter and the CWntess are drowned. Velvet swims to safety with the rescued official papers. Laura has returned to her father and told him of the German conspirators. Velvet turns up with a suitcase filled with papers, and wins La-ura. The supporting films includ© a Sunshine comedy, Mutt and Jeff cartoon. World's News, and Australian Gazette. Tn addition to the above feature there will be shown “Twisted Trails.” with the whirlwind actor Tom Mix in the leading part. Other pictures to be shown are th© latest Gazette and a comedy. A splendid supporting! programme fn'dude* the Pafhe Gazette. Topical Budget and Bathe Review Pictograpbs.

GREATER CRYBTAL PALACE

“Reputation” end the current record programme -will be-shown for the last time at Greater Crystal Palace tonight, and the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, of twenty-two performers, under the distinguished eonductorship of Mr Alfred J. Buna, will play at both the afternoon and evening sessions. The manager, Mr V. M- Beebe, hae arranged an extra fine holiday programme for Carnival Week, starting on Monday. Particulars of the musical programme will be announced m Monday’s newspapers in accordance with the -usual custom of the management, and patrons arc advised to book their ! seats well in advance, j Carmel Myers, star of "A Daughter of tho T,a*.\” the big Universal picture for next week, brings to the role of i Nora Hayes, heroine of this stirring <le--1 tective tale, a flashing, scintillating i personality, alive with magnetism and beauty. Tho story is filled with mysterv, excitement and intrigue. fhe thrilling story vac written by Wadsworth Camp, whoso detective yarns have made l»im world fatuous among booklovers and writers. The film is a new one, and ka's never previously been shown in New Zealand. Exciting incidents, in which a criminal gang, operating on a tremendous scale, are run | down by the police after a series of situations, in which a sister heroically attempts to save an erring brother, supply the base of a pilot, which sustains the interest throughout by constantly baffling the most astute minds. Unlike many modern pictures in which tho criminal element are shown working their nefarious trade in underworld scenes, “ A Daughter Of the Law '’ tolls the story in a thrilling manner—hutleaves many of the unpleasant and ghastly details to the imagination of the audience. The other big euner-feature. which . will also receive its first showing in New Zealand, comes from the eelebrated Goldwyn studio©. The star of this f delightful comedy is adorable Mabel Nonnand, whose ability as a comedienne is well established wherever good, clean comedy is appreciated. This picture is entitled ,£ The Slim Princess,” and was adapted to tho screen from George Ade's great musical comedy success of the- same name. The plot is said to suit Miss Normacd to n nicety, it is extremely hilarious, and travels at high speed in a colourful atmosphere. Fat girls v. thin girls is tho all-absorbing question which forms the theme of “ The Slim Princess,” the setting of which takes place iri the beautiful but mythical little city of Morovenia. The men of this makebelieve kingdom greatly admire the large proportions of stout women, but their ruler is accursed with a slim and beautifully modelled daughter. The day comes when a profitable offer for the hand of her younger sister arrives, but until the Slim Princess, who is the older, is married, her younger sister's hand cannot be given in matrimony according to the law of the land- A lawn fete is given to find a suitor for , tho slim one, and over the wall climbs her affinity in the shape of a husky young tourist named Pike. Obstacles and barriers are placed between Pike and his love, and it is the overcoming of these that makes a perfect cyclone of fun throughout- the entire six reels of film. The supporting pictures which go to make up the full three hours’ programme are : - The fourteenth exciting chanter of th© big adventure tale, “The Diamond Queen”: “Smart Alex,” h. very laughable two-part Century comedy., and the latest instructive International News film. Th© box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning. Greater Crystal Palace, Number 3758. SYDENHAM THEATRE. At the Sydenham Theatre tq-day, commencing at the matinee, tbe g?eaLeat wild animal serial story ever filmed, “The Lost City,” will have its initial presentation. The picture is in fifteen parts, and some of the finest beasts of the African jungle are seen in sensational incidents. The star is Juanita Hansen. Another fine attraction will be Beaumont Smith’s great Australian bush story, “ When the Billy Boils,” a most interesting film dealing with station life and containing good comedy and romance. Yet a third splendid attraction will be “ Unseen Forces,” an ( exciting photoplay, with Sylvia Bream«r in the leading role. There will also be good supporting pictures.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “THE AMAZING PARTNERSHIP.’’ .Among the writers of sensational fiction B. Phillips Oppenlieim has held a very high position for a considerable number of years, and the Stoll photoplay entitled 4< The Amazing Partnership ’’ is a screen adaptation of one of his most popular books. It forms a detective drama of the most attractive type, its thrills being admirably blended with a strong love interest. Briefly the story is as follows Julius Hatten’s confidential representative. Dupoy, has come to London with jewels worth. £IO,OOO. A telephone message to his lfbtel induces him to go to the Cafe Supreme, in Soho, to meet bis employer. From there all trace of him is lost. He has disappeared, and with him the jewels. Hatten calls Grace Burton, private inquiry agent, to his aid, and she induces Stephen Pryde to assist her. Suspecting Baron Feldemay, Grace searches his flat and secures an idol which she throws into a dustbin. Unknown to her. it contains the missing jewels. F-eldemay and his confederate bolt, leaving T>apoy, their victim, in a park suffering from loss of memory. They capture Grace and take her to a house to Highgate. Dupoy returns to the hotel and, recovering his memory, tells his story. The manager of the Cafe Supreme gives the police Feldcmay’s address. Tire place is raided and Grace rescued. Pryde meanwhile recovers the idol. Milton Rosmer. who is acknowledged to be one of the finest screen actors of the dav w plays the role of the journalist help, and is supported by an excellent caat. LIBERTY THEATRE, “ISOBEL, OR THE TRAIL’S BM>.” Scot tie Dean, passenger with his wife Isobel aboard a whaler, has a fight with the captain, who has sought to assault M.rs T>ean. and throws him overboard. escaping with Isobel in a small boat, and taking refuge with a tribe of Eskimos, Sergeant MaeYeigli. of the Mounted Police, has been assigned to track liijn down. Their chief. Bye Bye, learns at the trading post that MacVeigh has heard of the presence of the white people in his village and 13 to investigate. Ho. hurries back to the village to warn his friends, and - MaoVeigh meets. Isobel on her way to civilisation with her husband’s body in a rude coffin Struck by the heautv of the first white woman, he has seen in several years, MaoVeigh offers her his escort - MacVeigh learns that Corporal Buckley Smith has invaded his patrol in search of the pair, and arrests Dean to save ißobel from Smith, but lets them escape after lye disposes of the corporal. Returning to his station cabin, he finds a child who has been rescued from a native village, and learns that she was taken from the captain of the whaler, supposed to have been killed. Strongly attracted to the child by her likeness to Isobel. he finds comfort in her presence. Dean returns to claim the child as bis own and Isobel's, but dies of exhaustion,

Isobel, in a delirium of brain fever, drives MacVeigh away, accusing him of having killed Dean that he might make her his wife. Later the entanglement is cleared away iust as a happy ending seems impossible through the reported death of Isobel. House Peters has the part of Sergeant MacVeigh, and Jane Novak is Isobel Dean. GRAND THEATRE, With its typically Australian settings and atmosphere, and its convincing studies of human nature, the Beaumont Smith production, ‘‘While the Billy Boils,” will give pleasant entertainment to patrons of the Grand Theatre to-day and during the coming week. Henry Lawson wrote the original story round the adventures of a wandering son. not exactly a prodigal, but on© who had fallen out with his father over a divergence in tastes, and had gone away. Years later the boy comes back, after the father had vainly searched for him, but he comes to the old homestead much altered, and with another name. Ho is at the head of the shearing board when a robbery is committed, and h© shoulders the blame, which really belongs to his weakling brother, because he thinks the girl he loves is in love with this brother. Accordinglv he makes his way into the hack lands one© more, and an audience may follow him in his adventurous wanderings. Eventually h© is taken to prison, hut is soon shown to be innocent of the robbery which he is thought to have committed. A charming romance that is typically Australian rune through this fascinating story, and tho rich humour so reminiscent of the comradely men of the Commonwealth leavens the vivid incidents that are thrown upon the There will also b© shown 44 Unseen Forces,” the story of which is something new to the 61m world, for it concerns the experiences of a beautiful young woman who ia possessed of an uncanny power which enables' her at times to foresee future incidents. Sylvia Breanter. a very beautiful and talented actress, gifted with unusual emotional powers, plays the leading role 3,s Miriam Holt, “ the girl who sees

around comer 9.” Conrad Nagel ia her capable leading man. Th© supporting programme is » good one. 'The box plan ia at tho theatre, telephone 2934. OPERA HOUSE. Tlie - "creek’s programme at the Opera House was presented again before a large audience last night The two Richardson Brothers and their companion Cherie provide a very bright turn. Miss Rossi© Slaughter, who has a good voice, sang a number of the old songs. Long and Ling are one of tho most extraordinary couples who have been on th© circuit, and their turn ts an intensely diverting one. Sara Stern gave a number of clever sketches ; »nd impersonations. Gardner and Revere were warmly received. The second part is taken up hv tlie Revue Company’s presentation of “ Get Together,” in all respects a good piece of work. The same programme will be presented this evening. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A specially selected programme of j pictures and music will be presented throughout Carnival Week at Everybody's Theatre, commencing at toe matinee on Monday. The picture programme will include three star attrac!tions. A sledge-hammer blow is delivered against comiction on circumstantial evidence in “ The City of Silent j Men,” tho new Paramount super-pro* j auction, starring Thomas Meighan.. It | is founded on John Morofio’a novel, I “ The Quarry J’ Air Meighan plays the role of a small town youth who is made the tool of murderers and sent to prison j for a crime of which he is innocent, i Mr Meighan has in this one of the strongest rolos he has portrayed in many a month, and he is ably supported. The famous Bridge of Sighs in the Tombs of New York nnd the interior of Sing Sing, are shown in “ The City of Silent Men.” For the first time in the history’ of the screen, the marriage rites celebrated by savage tribes in the jungles of Africa have been pictured by Dr Vnudozibergh, the African explorer. When the African warrior makes his choice, and pays tho price in the way of cattle, skins or other commodities, for his bride, she is taken in charge by members of both families, and kept confined in a. hut while the homo, of the pair is being constructed. "When this is finished, tho bride is rushed into the new home, and there she remains until the groom appears. Then she begins her life of toil as the property of her man, who disdains to work as long as her muscles remain strong. When that happens, and she is done fnr, the wife is thrown on the mercy of the bush. This is shown in “ The Lion Killers.” the second part of Paramount Vondenbergb Pictures, which is to be the second attraction on tho programme. The third feature, an interesting scenic picture, showing how the Australian cricketers were entertained in Glasgow by Mr Peter Dawson, head of tho famous firm oF whisky distillers of that name. The Australian .cam were taken down the Firth of Clyde for an all-day trip at the expense of Mr Peter Dawson. Tho film shows tho arrival of the Australian cricketers on board the steamer and gives a splendid idea of tlie shipbuilding industry on the Clyde, nearly all the world-famous ship yards being shown. The route taken by tho steamer down the Firth was specially selected so that all the famous beauty spots on the Firth of Clyde might be included in the itinerary. An exceptionally fine musical programme has been arranged for Everybody’s “ Select ” Orchestra by the conductor, Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M. A few of tho numbers are as follows: Overture, “ Morning, Noon and Night ” (Suppe); violin solo, “ Concerto in E Minor ’' (2nd movement) (Mendelssohn), Irene Morris; string quartette, ‘‘Allegro Con Brio” (Op. 18) (Beethoven), Irene Morris, Florence Millar, Harold Wright and Harold Beck; ’cello solo, “ Star of Ere ” (Wagner), Harold Beck; Entr'acte, “ Turkish Patrol” (Michaelis); orchestral suites, “ Symphony in B Minor ” (unfinished) (Schubert), ‘‘Three Waltzes” (Cecil Scott), “Scenes from n£i Imaginary Ballet (Coleridge-Taylor) ; grand opera, “Sam-

eon et Delilah ” (Saint Saens); light selections. “ Canadian Capers’’ (Novelty Fox Trot) (Cohen), “Stop It” (One Step) (Xaufmann), ''Vision of Salome ” (fantasia) (Larapel Reserved seats may ba obtained either at 'l’he Bristol or by telephoning 4925. ROSEMARY REES COMEDY COMPANY* THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT AU who remember with pleasure the Marie Tempest season will welcome the production of another play by H. IT. Davies, “'The violins':, '* which will be presented to-night at the Theatre Royal and is by the same author as “ ( ousin Kate,'’ “Outcast,” etc. The Rosemary Rees English Comedy Company lias heen winning golden opinions in the North Island, and tile hav£ spoken in the highest terms, both of the play and of the high standard of the acting and the production. Generally, the natural manner of the players, as one notice phrased it, is wliat calls for the greatest praise that can be offered to an actor or actress. To hold the mirror up to nature arid faithfully depict real life, " The Mollusc*,” in spite of *ts somewhat peculiar title, is one of the most laughable plays ever written. The idea of a woman ivbo. like a shellfish (or mollusca) exerts all her energy and ingenuity in sticking instead of moving, and refuses to make any effort in life, and succeeds in making others wait on her hand and foot, has never perhaps before been used for a play. But in everyday life there is not a single individual who has not within his or her experience, met and been infuriated by a mollusc. Mrs Baxter, the mollusc of the play, is so intensely human, so cute in seeing through all tho efforts made by the different members of the household towards her reformation that, though the audience might long to shake her if they met her in the flesh, their enjoyment of her artfulness upon the stage is intense. “The Mollusc*’ will be played for six nights. The box Plan is at the Toy Cave, where seats can be reserved for to-night.